Where to stay in Shanghai

Exploring Shanghai

A fascinating mix of oriental and occidental, the vast city of Shanghai is divided into dozens of districts and is bisected by the Huangpu River. Its two most famous areas are the Bund, the historic colonial riverside enclosure once the hub of the Hong Kong traders’ Chinese mainland operations, and the Old City district with its traditional wooden heritage buildings. The heart of the city is Huangpu district, home to its People’s Square, People’s Park and Shanghai Museum as well as many hotels. Pudong, set on the eastern bank of the river, has more museums and excellent shopping, and suburban Zhujiajiao, a traditional water town, is a favourite weekend getaway location.

The stately 19th-century, trading house mansions along the Bund and in the French Concession Quarter form impressive remnants of the great days of Hong Kong’s China trading houses during which fortunes were made or lost on a turn of the weather. Tall ships brought opium from India to exchange for tea, silks and other treasures of the Orient, braving pirates and the vicious typhoons stalking the eastern seas in early fall. A walk around the wide boulevards followed by a stroll around the Old City’s alleyways gives a feel of the rich and varied heritage of this unique city.

Accommodations in Shanghai

There is a range of options for all travelers. The most popular hotel in Shanghai is the Hotel Indigo Shanghai Hongqiao, which has been booked 46 times from our Hotels.com verified guests. Our guests also highly recommended Jade Villa Inn (Hongqiao International Airport) in Shanghai as it has been reserved 7 times.

Sightseeing in Shanghai

For magnificent colonial architecture and a glimpse into the city’s time as a hub for the China trade with the West, a visit to the two concessions is essential. Hunan Road, Hengshang Road, Fuxing Road and Shaoxing Road hold some of the best examples, and nearby Xinle, Changle and Anfu roads are crammed with boutiques and local restaurants.

Set in People’s Square, the Shangahi Museum is a treasure-house of priceless artefacts dating from the Shang Dynasty to the time of the Last Emperor of China. Its highlight is a world-famous collection of ancient bronze ritual vessels, and English-speaking volunteer guides make appreciating the technological and artistic heights of the artefacts a fascinating and informative experience.

Transportation in Shanghai

Pudong International Airport serves flights from across the world, linking major cities across the five continents. The city’s second airport, Hongqiao, serves domestic flights, and can be useful if you’ve time to hop a flight to Beijing, Lhasa, Hong Kong or other places of interest in China. A unique means of onward transportation to the city from Pudong Airport is the Meglev, the amazing ultra-fast magnetic levitation express, which covers the 30km journey to the city in just seven minutes. Getting around Shanghai is by metro, taxi or bus, with the metro offering dual signage in Mandarin and English.